Oh My God, So Good Burgers-Burgatory, Pittsburgh

My sister insisted that we arrive by lunch, so that they could take us to The Burgatory.  She said the restaurant would be too busy to accommodate our party of nine for dinner, so it was lunch or nothing.   She had talked about this amazing place with our kids two weeks before and they were very excited about it!  The Burgatory is, as it's name implies, a burger restaurant touting burger names and items with heaven and hell themes.   The restaurant is modern with booth, table and high top seating and a full bar at the back.

The menu has both House Speciality and make your own burgers, but also ribs, chicken and a nice children's menu. The appetizer menu had an item I wish we had had time to order called the 6-napkin nachos.  This dish looked amazing.  I was drooling over one at a table near where we were waiting to be seated.  

There are ten signature sandwiches (burgers) ranging from the Pot Luck burger to the Meat your Maker.   The Meat Your Maker, has a description ending in, "you will think you died and went to heaven".   Love that!! I didn't have to look far to know what my son would order.  They have a crab cake burger, called the Crab Shack, with spicy remaloude and cole slaw.   Wow!!! That is one good sandwich!  I would have been sad I hadn't ordered it myself, except that the sandwich I ordered was amazing, oh my god good!

My sister, my husband, and I, all ordered the create your own burgers.  They have order forms on the table where you can pick from complimentary and additionally priced items from staples such as lettuce and onions to special sauces, rubs and choices of breads.

I chose the special blended hormone free burger (the restaurant's special blend of sirloin, chuck, brisket and short rib, oh my!) on a brioche bun with avocado, mayo, haystack onions, romaine lettuce, tomato and farm house cheddar!  The meat was to tender and the topping were fresh and plentiful.  It was so big I almost needed a fork and knife to eat it!  I think this may have been the best burger I have ever had!!!

You have a choice of chips or upgrade to fries, baked beans jalapeño corn bread or cole slaw.  The chips are actually thin cut fries and are extremely good.  I got the corn bread.  Unlike other jalapeño corn bread I have had, where there are large chunks of jalapeño leading to some bites with a lot of kick and some with none, they blend the jalapeños in, giving each moist bite a even kick.   Yummy!!

The kids have a choice of mini burgers, chicken, grilled ham and cheese or hot dogs.  They all come with the chips and the offer of a free root beer float if they finish their meal.  How great is that!!!

The bar carried both local and domestic microbrews and foreign and domestic bottles.  Lots of choices, but one of the best things is that they have shakes!!!! You can order from quite a variety of flavors, like Choco's Taco, Carmel Pretzel, or Campfire S'mores.  You can also upgrade and make it an adult drink!!! Awesome!!!

At the end of the meal, much to our surprise, they gave us fortune cookies. Each had a Burgatory original fortune.   Mine was quite appropriate for me and the occasion, I must say.  The Burgatory is fun for all!   I was so happy with my meal at Burgatory!   Happy Eating!

Travel to South East Asia while in NYC, The Spice Market

My girlfriend and I took a trip to NYC a few years back, and went to a fantastic place called the Spice Market.  I was so enthralled, that I made sure that I took my husband on our recent trip to the city. The Spice Market is found in the cobblestone streets of the old Meat packing district, on the corner of 13th and 9th.

The birthchild of Phil Suarez, Chef Jean-George Vongerichten and designer, Jacque Garcia, the Spice Market was the first step in the renaissance of the District.   The lofty ceilings and rustic beams from the old building work beautifully with South East-Asian decor brought in from Malasia, Indonesia, India, and Bura.

Chef Jean-George Vongerichten creates a menu that is inspired by a multitude of spices and cuisines from the South East, and is executed beautifully by Chef de Cuisine, Anthony Ricco.

Once you are seated, they present you with Papad (Indian fried tortillas) and a spicy dipping sauce.  They have an extensive drink menu highlighting the asian inspired cocktails on the first page.

I ordered the Lychee Raspberry Bellini, Prosecco with lychees and raspberries, and of course my husband ordered an Asian beer, Asahi's Black.  The bellini was sweet and smooth and delicious. My husband now says that Asahi Black is his new favorite beer.

We ordered two appetizers, the Lobster spring rolls and the Grilled Chicken Satay.  The spring rolls were fresh and light and served with a siracha sauce allowing for a delightful kick. The Chicken Satay was amazing, tender chicken in a light peanut sauce, with just a bit of heat.   My husband and I fought over the last one.  I could have eaten another serving.  To satify this craving, I dipped the cucumbers in the peanut sauce.  So good!

For dinner we ordered, the Steamed Red Snapper, the Onion and Chili Crusted Short Ribs with Egg Noodles and Pea Shoots and the Ginger Fried Rice.  The server informed us that each item will be presented as it is ready, not all at once, in a more family style way.

The Steamed Red Snapper came out first with a side of white rice.  The fish was fantastic!  It was tender and moist and cooked perfectly!!  My husband said, "I am not a fish person but this is really good".  That is huge coming from him! We didn't even eat the rice!  The fish stood alone!

The Ginger Fried Rice came out next and what a treat that was! Instead of mixing the egg into the rice leaving a gummy texture to it, they fry the egg on top allowing it to be mixed in later, leaving the rice with the proper consistency.   The fried egg added a bit of crunch to the dish. It was the best fried rice I have ever had!


Lastly, we received The Short Ribs.  This was a pleasent surprise.  We did not realize that it is actually a soup!  The short ribs are bathed in a wonderful broth that is a combination of soy, ginger and spices.  It is rich and allows the meat to be so tender it falls apart.  The noodles are perfect and are imbued with the flavor of the broth.  It is a beautiful dish!  My husband said it is reminisent of a dish his Filipino mother makes.

My husband finished off his meal with a Vietnamese coffee which he thoughly enjoyed!

The Spice Market is an wonderful experience for the senses.  We were very happy with our visit and you will be too.  Happy eating!

You can't leave NYC without eating Pizza!- John's Pizzeria

New York City pizza is, hands down, the best pizza on the planet.  Chicago natives will try to argue this, but I will stand firm.  MUST GET PIZZA, is my mantra when we travel there.  One of the best places to get pizza in NYC is John's Pizzeria.  Located on the edge of the theater district, on 44th and 8th, John's Pizzeria opened in 1997, in an old church and sports lofty ceilings and stained glass.
















We were seated on the second floor, giving us an amazing view of the mural on the back wall done by Douglas Cooper.  It is breathtaking.  We also had a view of all 4 of the coal-fired brick ovens used to serve the in house and take out masses. 

We started with John's Garlic Rolls.  You know it has to be good if it has the restaruant name in it!  And boy was it awesome!! Soft dough wrapped around garlic, mozzarella and olive oil!  They give you marinara to dip too!  My husband was so happy they left the remaining marinara for him to dip his pizza in.
We got a ceaser salad next, that was gigantic! Glad we where sharing it!  The dressing was perfect, not to garlicky or fishy.  


Now to for the Pièce de résistance, the pizza!  This pizza is absolutely fantastic!!!  Gooey cheese and thick pieces of meat on a crust so thin that the pizza bends when you lift it of the tray.  It is like magic in your mouth.  We happily had left overs that provided the best breakfast on the plane home.  I wish I had taken a whole pie with us so I could have some now!  

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My husband and I were very happy with our meal at John's Pizzeria and I know you will too! 

Happy Eating!